ACCCIM: Chinese businessmen can become regional connectors in the new era

China News Service, Kuala Lumpur, October 11 (Reporter Liu Yuying) Wu Yiping, President of the Malaysian Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCCIM), proposed at the ACCCIM 105th Anniversary Celebrity Lecture that under the background of the restructuring of the global supply chain and the rise of the digital economy, Chinese businessmen in the new era can further become regional connectors from traditional business operators.

The event was held in Selangor, Malaysia on the 10th, with the theme "Asia's New Era: Opportunities and Challenges for Chinese Businessmen in ASEAN".

"The value of Chinese businessmen has never been just about being able to do business. After several generations of development, ASEAN Chinese businessmen have been deeply rooted in local society. We understand the local market, culture and consumers, and at the same time have transnational and cross-regional business networks." Wu Yiping said in his keynote speech that Chinese businessmen in the new era can further become regional connectors from traditional business operators, connecting capital, technology, supply chains, talents, and markets in different countries.

He pointed out that the global industrial chain is being reorganized. When companies choose an investment location, they no longer consider only labor costs and market size, but also whether the supply chain is stable, whether talent is sufficient, whether the infrastructure is complete, whether the energy is reliable, and even whether the country can connect different markets.

Citing official data, Wu Yiping said that the trade volume between Malaysia and ASEAN will reach 777.6 billion ringgit (approximately 1.27 trillion yuan) in 2025, accounting for 25.4% of the country's total trade; Malaysia's total annual trade volume exceeded 3 trillion ringgit, and approved investments reached a record high of 426.7 billion ringgit. Malaysia should not only serve as the "gateway to ASEAN", but should further become a major node in digital, energy, trade and industry connecting ASEAN with the world.

He said that today's advantages can only become the foundation to support the future development of enterprises through continuous innovation and improvement. Malaysia's digital economy contribution rate has exceeded 25.5%. "The gap between enterprises in the future may not be just whether they have AI, but who can transform new technologies into business value faster and more effectively."

Wu Yiping said that ACCCIM will rely on its own network to help companies lower the threshold for entering ASEAN markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, and promote more companies to expand externally.